American sniper, American culture, American irony

Chris Kyle had a best-selling book called "American sniper", and a sniper he was. He served four tours in Iraq and is one of the most decorated snipers in our military. But the American culture and the American irony caught up with the American sniper in Texas this past week, and at a gun range of all places. The survivor of the high-risk combat succumbed to the fatal American gun cultures, as he was shot dead by an individual who happened to be a former Marine, and someone it was believed that Mr. Kyle was counseling on his struggles with PTSD. Again our culture makes sure everyone has access to a gun, but you dont have access to mental health counseling which claimed another victim in some ways the least likely and in some ways the most ironic. What we don't get to say is who could see it coming....

The smartest people in America

This week's honoree is Carly Fiorina. From the time to she took over as CEO of Hewlett-Packard until the time she left, the stock dropped  almost 50% in value and SHE received a $40 million severance package. She truly is one of the smartest people in America. Stay tuned for more such self servers in America.

Contradiction in terms

After listening to the right wing "facts" on gun violence, we announce a new contradiction in terms; "fact-based conservative"

A REDEFINITION OF CHUTZPAH

The Congressional Hispanic caucus was invited to the White House and the Republicans complained because none of them were invited. This is a redefinition of chutzpah, since the Republicans elected no Hispanics to any congressional offices.

This week in right-wing dumb da dumb

We actually mean; mean mean mean mean. Worried that not enough young people will appreciate the joys of assault weapons, the weapons industry is supporting a new publication called "Junior  Shooters". As was published today in the NYT one article goes as follows: "Who knows?" it said. "Maybe you'll find a Bushmaster AR 15 under your tree some frosty Christmas morning!" ' It would be a frosty day indeed.

The latest in right wing dumb da dumb dumb

In North Carolina, Indiana and Ohio gun advocates assembled for what they called a "peaceful protest" against the paranoia over guns and their safety. Sounds reassuring enough, but five people were accidentally shot at these events. Several by a shotgun, one who shot himself, and one by a semi automatic weapon, with the condition of the person at this time unknown. Reassured yet?

This week in right wing dumb da dumb dumb

Nuts about acorn: the Republican party (at least the tea party branch) is circulating a rumor that Obama stole this past election due to the manuevering of Acorn, which shows that they are nuts about Acorn. Reason; the organization has been disbanded for over three years now...can we do the same with some of them?

This weekend; right wing dumb dumb dumb lobbyist

The lobbyist for gun  rights in Hartford, CT a man named Robert Crook (yes that's his real name ) has defended the rights for people to practice Target shooting with assault rifles. He says it's a game, much like bowling, can we use the pinhead analogy at this point?

This week in right-wing; dumb da dumb da dumb dumb

One James Tracy a"professor" in the field of media history employed by Florida Atlantic University has outdone all the previous right-wing conspiracy nuts for 2013. The year has just begun, but he is already a winner. Here's his theory: The Newtown shootings were part of a conspiracy so the government could confiscate weapons. What should be confiscated is his license to teach in an American University, and probably his right to drive because he's way off the road. For all those who say they all do it, find me anyone, anywhere near as wacky on the left side...I'd love to hear about it, and real FOX News would sure be glad to print it. In the meantime the correct description of Mr. Tracy would be obviously unprintable.

The Louse of Representatives

Once again Eric Cantor is singing off key and you have to really wonder who this member of the House of Representatives actually  represents. 64% of Americans (or more) agrees there should be a tax rise on those Americans that are most fortunate financially, and the fact is that 67% of those very Americans agree that they should be paying higher taxes. And with a 89 to 8 majority, the US Senate approved such a measure. But those louses of representatives just won't put it to a vote even though they know it would get approximately 40 to 50% of the Republican vote and almost all the Democrats, and would most certainly pass. Some years back there was a song called "Coward of the County" but these Republicans are cowards of the country. And to repeat, just whom do they represent?

Death Tax or Dearth Tax?

Real Fox News fun fact; what percentage of estates actually pay estate tax? Is it 10%, 5%, or 3%? Actually it's less than that, in fact it's less than 1%, in fact it's one-eighth of 1%. So rather than call this the "death tax" a term endearingly used by so many very rich right-wingers, it should be called the dearth tax, because it's so darn rare. Death Tax or DearthTax?

Facts for 2012

The great Daniel Moynihan  said "This is America; everyone is entitled to their own set of opinions but not their own set of facts", and the facts are in for this year especially on Wall Street. And here they are; the Dow is up 7.26%, the NASDAQ is up 15.91%, the S&P 500 is up 13.4%, so as the "princess of quite a lot" would say, if you want to live like a Republican vote like a Democrat.

ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

If I owned a major newspaper (or even a smaller one) my front page on Monday would be as follows: 28 pictures of 28 victims, with only their first names underneath so we might know them just a little bit, like those who will forever miss them did. And underneath I would write just this: Can we please talk seriously  about revisiting the assault weapons ban, please?

Friday Fauxlosophy

It is safe to say that avoidance is a much more dominant human trait then proactivity

THE GREAT MARVIN MILLER

In the summer of 1973, while in Majorca, Spain, due to my failure to
grasp his historical importance, I missed an opportunity to meet retired
baseball player Curt Flood. Mr. Flood died way too young in 1997 at
the age of 59 and I never got another chance. He was of course forever
linked with labor leader Marvin Miller in their fight for major league ball
players’ right to earn free agency, and while they lost their first battle,
they of course won the war. So when it was announced in January of
2011 that Mr. Miller would be doing a baseball meet and sign event,
maybe his only one ever, I did not miss that time. He was articulate,
introspective and genuinely kind, and I am forever glad for a personal
conversation where I had the joy and privilege of his company.
To those who debate if he did more harm than good for baseball,
and resent millionaire ball players, I would suggest they consider the
attitude of billionaire owners who would have kept these men in
contractual servitude indefinitely if they’d been allowed to. Mr. Miller
never lived to see himself inducted in the Baseball hall of Fame, but
ironically got to witness the admission of George Steinbrenner who
as much as any owner ever, employed Mr. Miller’s breakthroughs in
financing his championships. But as to the question as to whether he
helped make baseball better or worse, he without doubt made things
better for baseball players and the rights of people employed in other
sports and venues as well. His legacy is that he outlived the archaic
attitudes of most of his opponents, and the breakthroughs he achieved
will outlive us all.